Irradiation effect of TiNi based shape memory alloys

Abstract

The irradiation effect is the change of microstructure and macroscopic properties caused by the interaction between incident particles and materials. Irradiation effect is not only an important method to modify the surface of materials, but also an essential part of the reliable evaluation of materials applied in special environment. The TiNi based shape memory alloy is a kind of important intelligent material, which has the unique shape memory effect and superelasticity and can be widely used in spacecraft such as satellites, space stations and biomedical science. The spacecraft will be irradiated by charged particles mainly including protons, electrons and ions. The irradiation effect can influence the microstructure of TiNi based shape memory alloy, which will change the phase transformation and mechanical behavior. However, the current investigation in irradiation effect of TiNi based shape memory alloy is still in its infancy. The change rules and mechanism of microstructure and phase transformation have not been studied clearly. And there are few studies on the effect of irradiation on the shape memory effect have been carried out. In-depth study on the irradiation parameters, microstructure, phase transformation behavior and functional properties is still needed.

Keywords

• shape memory alloy
• irradiation effect
• microstructure
• martensitic transformation